Castro “wawa” Chongo

Public Administrator/Football Administrator/Human Resource Manager/Football Coach & football Analyst.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

This was the continental team named by CAF after the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations,featuring some of the best players in Africa at the time.

My father, Harrison Chongo, was already playing for Al-Taawoun Club in Saudi Arabia and was recognised with a MasterCard souvenir which i still look at, while his Zambian central-defence partner, Elijah Litana, earned an opportunity to move from Power Dynamos to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia about six months later.

The Zambian central-defensive partnership was voted among the best of the tournament after keeping a clean sheet throughout the competition until the final, when Zambia conceded two goals against Nigeria.

Their outstanding performances and remarkable endurance even attracted attention from CAF officials, who subjected Harrison Chongo and his defensive counterpart to doping tests after the tournament. The tests found no prohibited substances, both players were completely clean.

It was a remarkable demonstration of the quality, fitness and resilience of Zambia's defence at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@guangzu6 Thank you so much. The love you have had for him makes me shed tears of joy. Wish he had a chance to visit after retirement. May his soul rest in peace.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@guangzu6 correct.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@guangzu6 you knew him better...

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

Zambia national football team in 1992 at state House with the late second republican president of zambia Dr Frederick Chiluba before the team left for Africa cup of nations in senegal.

This was the first Africa cup of nations appearance for my father although he was an unused substitute and he was the only player that was selected from mufulira wanderers football club.

This was when he joined the national team as a young star and because he spent the entire tournament on the bench, as he returned home soccer fans teased and nicknamed him "Senegal 92". ( name of the host country and the year it was hosted).

Dad was a footballer with full of nicknames. In zambia he was famously known as "wawa" or "madjer" from the Algerian striker Rabar mustapha madjer, "Senegal 92" from that tournament and also "Muhammad" from Saudi arabia.

Who can spot him from this photo?

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@ddd2h7 Wow! Thank you so much. I really appreciate.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

This was a special photo of my father, Harrison Chongo.

I once asked him what was happening in this picture, and he simply said, “That was when we won the league with Al-Taawoun Club in Saudi Arabia.”

The celebrations in Buraydah were incredible. The fans were so excited that some even climbed onto the roof of the moving bus to celebrate with the team.

If you look closely at the photo, you can see Dad peeping through the window, seemingly sharing a moment with some of the fans as the celebrations continued.

A beautiful glimpse into the great memories he made in Buraydah with the team. He always spoke with immense gratitude about the support he received from the club’s management and the fans, acknowledging their important role in helping the team achieve its goals and fulfil its mission.

A special memory of a special chapter in his football journey.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@kheraif Wow! Its good to know

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@1960abohan88759 First promotion: 1415 AH (1415هـ) 1994–1995. This was Al-Taawoun's first promotion to the Saudi Premier League. Second promotion: 1417 AH (1417هـ) 1996–1997. Al-Taawoun won the First Division and returned to the Premier League

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@t51521 Exactly, Buraydah fans are passionate about football. It's amazing

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

Football runs in the bloodline. It’s in the genes!

Passed through the substandard remote areas of Lusaka in kanyama and found kids playing a makeshift ball made of plastic bags.

I got it to try and do a Double-leg juggling.
Football is nice.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

Harrison Chongo carefully scans the area, identifying whom to mark and close down during a corner kick against Côte d’Ivoire ( Ivory Coast) at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

Harrison Chongo with a build-up at the back.

Zambia Vs Algeria 1996 in south Africa.

Africa Cup of Nations, they drew 0-0.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

In 2008, the Zambian Football Coaches Association registered my father as a coach and issued him with a unique seasonal accreditation card that allowed him to attend all Zambian Premier League and international matches free of charge.

I believe that, had he been able to afford the flight and accommodation, this accreditation could also have supported his access to football matches abroad, including a match involving Al-Taawoun Club in Saudi Arabia.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@tos7000 Thank you very much

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

"The Jet scene".

The 1998 World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Zambia in 1997 remains a memorable match for Zambians.

Despite Zambia having a formidable side packed with experienced professionals, we unfortunately lost 3–0.

The match is also remembered for the extraordinary story surrounding defender Elijah Litana. At the time, Litana had an important club commitment with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia around the same period. Al-Hilal reportedly arranged a private royal jet for him to fly from Riyadh to South Africa, play for Zambia and return to Saudi Arabia immediately afterwards to feature for his club.

The remarkable journey earned him the nickname “The Jet Scene” a unique moment in Zambian football that remains unforgettable.

On the photo standing from left , Davies phiri goalkeeper, Andrew Tembo, Harrison Chongo the late, Elijah Litana and mordon malitoli.

Squatting from left.
Paul chellah, dennis lota and Hillary makasa all late, Dabid Chilufya and Johnson bwalya.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@ss90099993327 @saahb1439 Oh yeah, i see...

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

Powerful Al-Taawoun club Team.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@Sama1240 Thank you

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@ss90099993327 @saahb1439 You're most welcome. Amazingly how did you know about the name "wawa Chongo?" This is the most famous name of my father in zambia. I'm so happy, most people here call me that.

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

@H_S_Alduhaiyan Thank you

[Castro “wawa” Chongo @CastroWawa6176]

This team have always had unique and stylish kit.

Al-Taawoun's jersey designs have been the best all along.

In dressing room again, The captain encouraging and motivating his team mates. Hamad, indeed was a great leader. Long live legend.

I can see Tenant "shasha" Chilumba, mousa.

Name the other players and the goalkeeper?